SPIRITUAL ANCHORS
EXPLANATION
In folktales among history, there remains mention of objects which utilize spiritual power to amplify individuals. On Norowarejima, are anchors, named after the Warden of the isle, Sazanami-no-Kaze, and her divine storm. Anchors are physical vessels that combine spiritual power, and tangible form. Among them, they can be divided into two paths. Divine, and Cursed. While neither is inherently good nor evil, they can be classified on how they draw their power. Divine anchors are inherently โpureโ and function through their own contained spiritual energy, while cursed anchors are naturally flawed, parasitic creations that sustain themselves by draining a wielder of vitality, or emotional stability. All anchors are further classified by their magnitude.
Objects that are common, and limited in effect, Artifacts which are significantly more potent, and Relics. Relics are extraordinarily scarce embodiments of immense spiritual energy. Often bound to a single being, and sentient in some nature.
DIVINITY
โง Divine Relics
Typically anchors made directly within the hands of kami contain a sealed portion of divine essence and grant immense effects aligned with that respective kami's aspect. Their power is self-contained, and drains from an internal reserve when used, making them potent, but not limitless. Relics are extremely rare, and are often one-of-a-kind, their mere presence can stabilize or purify the surrounding spiritual environment.
They are spiritually โpureโ, and carry refined energy that naturally resists corruption. Many require compatibility with the deity's nature that may reject or harm unworthy wielders. Once depleted, a relic may fall dormant for centuries whilst it regains its power, or require divine intervention to regenerate.
โง Divine Artifacts
Anchors created by elder, greater spirits, or by vessels acting with divine sanction. They hold substantial spiritual power, yet do not contain the raw divine potency as relics do. Artifacts commonly amplify a bonded vesselโs abilities, reinforce occultist techniques, or provide enhancement to natural blessings. Their strength is still significant, but localized
Most artifacts draw from ambient spiritual energy or from excess power of the wielder, rather than a sealed divine core. They can degrade, fracture, or lore significant potency with overuse or spiritual damage. While rare, they are far more attainable than relics.
โง Divine Objects
Anchors made by the average trained occultist, onmyoji, or shrine affiliated practitioners such as miko. They contain minor, widespread blessings or ritualistic imprints intended for singular purposes or for practical, everyday spiritual use. Their effects are widely limited in scale, yet can provide small protective wards, or brief purificative energy. They are the most common form of divine anchors.
Divine objects typically have extremely limited charge, or duration, and are fragile in comparison to relics, and artifacts. They cannot withstand high-level spiritual conflict on their own, as their purpose is for utility, not overwhelming power.
ACCURSED
โง Cursed Relics
Anchors born of catastrophic spiritual events, sealed calamities, fallen divine fragments, or from concentrated mass suffering. They are extremely rare, and rival divine relics in scale, but their power feeds on fear, violence, and suffering. Their presence can distort spiritual environments, and act as a well to draw in lingering spirits. Many are semi-sentient, and are driven by the will or emotion that birthed them.
Unlike divine relics, they do not expend their own power to function, instead, siphoning from the wielder or surrounding suffering. Prolonged exposure may corrupt the user emotionally and spiritually, often escalating over time. Destruction of these anchors is rare, and sealing them away is the more common option.
โง Cursed Artifacts
Anchors created through forbidden rituals, or formed from prolonged hatred, obsession, or malice. They provide significant powerful abilities, often enhancements or cursing potency. Their power does not come from internal reserves, yet siphon the wielderโs vitality in exchange for these abilities. This parasitic function is what makes them inherently flawed.
Continued use deepens the drain, eroding away at sanity, or increasing violent impulses that morally stain the user's soul. They tend to grow stronger the more harm they inflict. Typically rare and powerful, but they are far more common than cursed relics.
โง Cursed Objects
Everyday items contaminated by death, resentment, or other negative emotions. They are very common and often formed unintentionally, though some can be deliberately created. Their effects are very limited in scale, often causing minor misfortune, compelling the user to fluctuate from normal emotions, and inflicting minor spiritual erosion. The lowest tier of cursed anchors.
Unlike divine anchors, and similarly to cursed relics and artifacts, they function by draining the wielder directly. This constant siphoning of vitality, or stability is what marks them as cursed, and flawed creations. They are individually quite weak, and easy to cleanse, yet prolonged use or mass accumulation of these objects can allow them to evolve into their more destructive counterparts.
PURPOSE